How to Choose an Electric Towel Radiator Kit
Quick answer
Choose electric-only if the towel rail will run independently of your central heating. Choose dual fuel if it will connect to your wet central heating and also run electrically when needed. Then pick the element controls you want. The six options combine two heating setups with three types of control.
Pictured: our 200mm wide × 600mm high matt black towel radiator with the standard heating element.
Compare the six kit options
Start with the type of installation your bathroom can accommodate. Then compare the control options and what is supplied with each kit.
| Element choice | Electric-only kit | Dual-fuel kit |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Simple operation |
Radiator, standard element and electric-only fittings | Radiator, standard element, valves and T-piece |
| Round thermostatic Adjustable control |
Radiator, round thermostatic element and electric-only fittings | Radiator, round thermostatic element, valves and T-piece |
| Digital thermostatic Digital controls |
Radiator, digital thermostatic element and electric-only fittings | Radiator, digital thermostatic element, valves and T-piece |
Each option includes the selected element. The black and chrome examples below also list mounting brackets, fixings and installation instructions. Check the product page for the full contents of the kit you choose.
Choose the controls you’ll use
Start with the standard option if you want simple operation. Choose round thermostatic if you want adjustable control, or digital thermostatic if you prefer a digital interface. If a timer or boost mode matters to you, check the instructions for the exact controller. The selector label alone does not tell you which timer functions are available or what temperature the controller measures.
Two examples from the range
- On the 200mm × 600mm matt black model, the standard kit includes a 200W element. Both thermostatic choices use 300W elements. Those ratings also apply to the matching dual-fuel options on this model. If you choose digital over round thermostatic here, you’re choosing a different control interface at the same rated electrical input.
- On the 200mm × 1000mm polished chrome model, the digital controller is black and the round thermostatic element is chrome. Look at the image for the selected option if you want the controller to match your bathroom fittings.
Check the exact model and variant for its wattage. A central-heating figure in BTU/h describes water-fed output under stated conditions. Use the guide to element wattage and radiator heat output if you’re comparing both modes or deciding whether the rail can contribute enough heat to your bathroom.
What to confirm before ordering
- Fitting space. Measure the wall and allow for the brackets, controller and cable. For dual fuel, check pipe centres and allow room for the T-piece, valves and pipework.
- What arrives. Both example models are supplied unfilled, with instructions. Confirm the approved filling and preparation requirements with your installer. Have a suitably qualified professional complete the electrical work and follow the instructions before switching on the element.
- The selected option. Check the controller, wattage, finish, kit contents and price after selecting the variant. If you already own a rail and want to add an element, use the electric conversion planning guide to check compatibility first.
Compare models for your bathroom
If you’re still deciding whether to keep the rail connected to your heating pipes, read our electric-only and dual-fuel comparison. Once you know the setup you need, browse black and chrome electric towel radiators and use the kit selector on the model you like.